UNIVERSAL SENSORS LIMITED

Universal Electrochemical Biosensor

Universal Sensors Limited on behalf of Sensortec Limited is in the middle of product development and commercialisation of a novel electrochemical biosensor for use in clinical and veterinary diagnostics, in environmental monitoring and food quality assurance sectors. We already have two industrial partners and are now seeking further partnerships to enable relevant assay transfer to the platform.

Applications

The technology is applicable to the rapid quantitative detection at low levels (ppt) of a wide range of analytes, amongst which are; drugs, toxins, contaminants, infectious diseases, nucleic acids, microbes and cells. The near-term application for the technology will be in the development of a simple point-of-use system for detection of contaminants such as Pen G and Aflatoxin M1 in milk. This product is anticipated to be available for market validation at the end of 2006. However we have also shown proof of principle for ISE and enzyme assays.

Competitive Edge

This unique technology will allow the development of detection products that are cheaper and more effective than those of competitors, and that permits more rapid turn around and decision making as well as electronic tracking and auditing of the results for future analysis.

Partnering Opportunities

Universal Sensors would be pleased to open discussions with interested parties on behalf of Sensortec, i.e. companies that may have an interest in co-developing this technology for their particular market sector or requirements. It should be emphasised that the relatively short time-to-market and uncomplicated development path of the company's lead product indicates that this investment is uniquely low-risk and high-reward.

Current contracts are for the development of a point-of-use systems for analysis of Aflatoxin’s in milk and cereal products as well as a multianalyte clinical POC diagnostics. Universal Sensors Limited has a platform technology that can cope with the majority of tests performed in the environmental, food and drink industries (e.g. immunoassays, cell assays, enzyme-based assays and Nucleic acid assays (GMO testing)). The availability of these instruments and tests will enable further feasibility studies and corporate deals with companies having market presence in the environmental, food, pharmaceutical and research sectors.

Background

Universal Sensors Limited is an early stage technology development company with access to Sensortec’s globally competitive IPR in conducting polymer based potentiometric biosensors. Sensortec Limited's proprietary technology enables quantitative detection of specific analytes (e.g. proteins, drugs, and contaminants) in complex fluids with minimal sample preparation. These biosensors can be commercialised within a broad range of markets in the Life Science sector (e.g. pharmaceutical, clinical/veterinary diagnostics, environmental monitoring and food quality assurance).

Potential uses in the Food and Environmental industries include:

• Toxins, contaminants, drug metabolites or other small molecule (limited by Ab specificity)
• Enzyme assays
• Nucleic acid contaminants
• Microbiological assays

Potential uses in the Pharmaceutical industry include:

• Drug discovery using cell analysis similar to the procedures used by LAPS Devices (e.g. Cytometer, Molecular Devices, cell acidification assays).
• Clinical trials, where compliance, uptake or efficacy (disease state monitoring) can be assessed.

As well as the obvious markets in Clinical and Veterinary Diagnostics e.g. cardiac markers, cancer markers and infectious diseases amongst many others

Partnerships are sought to provide complementary technologies, assays and additional functionality to enhance the current offering significantly.

Platform Technology

These figures illustrate the principles and possible assay formats